A biological male will be allowed to compete in a surfing competition in California after initially being denied. The situation has caused a firestorm of controversy in the broader debate over transgender athletes.
Sasha Jane Lowerson, a transgender female who previously competed in men’s events in Australia, entered the women’s division of the Huntington Beach Longboard Pro last weekend. However, his attempt to enter the competition violated the rules of the American Longboard Association, the organization that put on the event.
The group had announced on April 25 that the contest would not allow biological males to compete in the women’s division. It appears Lowerson’s decision to enter the competition was done to force a confrontation and draw attention to himself.
Todd Messick, who runs the American Longboard Association, argued that the rule against men competing against women was a commonsense decision to ensure fairness. He told BBC News that he only sought to “offer an equal playing field for all athletes” and said he was “surprised by the amount of anger” at the decision. However, he also found that “there was a lot of people very appreciative of me speaking up.”
Lowerson told the news outlet that he was “really disappointed and surprised” at not being allowed to compete against women.
Other surfing competitions have already enacted rules allowing men to compete against women.
The World Surf League (WSL) announced in 2023 a new policy on transgender participation allowing trans women competitors to compete in women's events if they maintain a testosterone level below a specified limit for at least 12 months.
According to the California Coastal Commission, sporting events in the state that do not allow transgender women to compete in the women's divisions could be shut down.
Lowerson argued that proficiency in surfing has nothing to do with strength, which means he does not have any unfair advantages over his competitors. “It’s not a race, it’s about style, flow, grace,” he said.
However, it does not appear that the women involved were on board.
Messick went on to explain that "90% of the female surfers" that he spoke to about the decision were in agreement, but most did not comment out of a fear of being criticized.
Nevertheless, California’s laws will compel Messick to allow men to compete with women during the competition.
Messick also did not have much of a choice - the BBC notes that, according to the California Coastal Commission, "surf contests in state waters must be carried out in a lawful manner that does not discriminate based on gender" and risk being shut down if otherwise.
Bethany Hamilton, a female surfer, has been a vocal critic of the effort to push biological males into women’s sports. In a post on X on Friday, she argued that California’s laws on this are “not fair game.”
California state law allows for males in female surfing events. This is not fair game. I do not support this.
— Bethany Hamilton (@bethanyhamilton) May 10, 2024
In January, she made another post, arguing that “Male-bodied athletes should not be competing in female sports.”
Male-bodied athletes should not be competing in female sports. Period.
— Bethany Hamilton (@bethanyhamilton) January 29, 2024
